Command line for fbackup selective backup

[rmueller58]

I normally just use fbackup to run a full file system backup.. We had an error last night and I need to get a quick snapshot of one file system

I need to run /exportfs out to tape.

I was thinking it would be simply

fbackup -f /dev/rmt/1m -i /exportfs

I wanted to verify it with you guys before I do it.. This file system is very large, and it would take a lot of time.. fbackup has given me fits in the past when trying to stop it after running an inadvertent commend.

Suggestions and info appreciated..

rex

[James R. Ferguson · Accepted solution]

Hi Rex:

Yes, that copy the /exportfs directory and contents to the tape.

For warm=-fuzzies you could do:

# fbackup -v -f /dev/rmt/1m -i /exportfs

...to enumerate what is being copied...

Regards!

...JRF...

[Pete Randall]

For a single file system, I would be tempted to just use tar, but, if you're more comfortable with fbackup, then you should probably stick with it.

However, I think your difficulties in interrupting fbackup would persist no matter what utility you used. I suspect that the problem stems from having to interrupt the I/O that is in progress to the tape drive and that will be true whether you run tar, fbackup, dd, or any other command. Unix won't interrupt until the I/O completes.


Pete

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi (again) Rex:

By the way, you said, "fbackup has given me fits in the past when trying to stop it after running an inadvertent commend".

Never 'kill -9' an fbackup session. The utility makes use of shared memory among its various worker processes and the 'kill -9' signal, since it can't be caught and handled, has the effect of leaving orphaned memory lying around.

Regards!

...JRF...

[rmueller58]

Thanks guys.. I forgot about the -v

[rmueller58]

I did an I/O scan and the DLT was available.. I am running James command after running the cleaning tape. and seeing the files roll through.. I am not sure why it failed last night.. Our night staff is "suppose" to run the cleaning tape weekly. I kind of think it doesn't get done as suggested unless I do it..

Thanks for the reminder on the fbackup kill issue.. I think when a tape is bad it had been a problem in the past. I couldn't kickout the tape or kill the writer. My memory of the last time has faded.. I now remember to let it error 1st before attempting to swap to different tape.

It generally occurs when we are getting toward the end of the tapes rotation.. We try to keep fresh tapes in the rotation..
The Rotation is such that we only do long term retention on month ends the rest stay in the rotation until we pitch them.

It may be time to take a few of these tapes out of the rotation again..

Thanks Guys!!

R